‘Aniah’s Law’ denying bail in more cases heads to voters
Alabama lawmakers have approved a proposal intended to give judges more discretion to deny bail to people accused of violent crimes that is named in honor of a college student killed in 2019. Legislators last week approved the proposed constitutional amendment rewriting a section of the Alabama Constitution to clarify a list of offenses where a judge can deny bail. The offenses include murder, kidnapping, rape, and first-degree robbery. Voters must approve the amendment before it can be added to the constitution. The proposal is called Aniah’s Law for 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard who was killed after being abducted from an Auburn gas station. The suspect in her killing was free on bond in an earlier kidnapping case, authorities said. “Too many of those who are accused of violent crimes are bonding out of jail and committing even more serious offenses, and it is time for law-abiding Alabamians to start fighting back,” Republican Rep. Chip Brown of Mobile, the sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. The Alabama Constitution now says that defendants have a right to bail “except for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great; and that excessive bail shall not in any case be required.” The amendment would continue to say that defendants have a right to bail unless “charged with an offense enumerated by the Legislature by general law; and that excessive bail shall not in any case be required.” A companion bill lists the offenses where bail could be denied including murder, assault in the first degree, kidnapping, rape, sexual torture, domestic violence, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, arson, terrorism and aggravated child abuse. While the bill passed overwhelmingly in the Alabama Legislature, at least one lawmaker questioned the need for it. Democratic Rep. John Rogers of Birmingham said he supported the bill but said judges can already deny bail to a person they think is a public threat or set it so high that the person has no chance of release. Brown responded that judges interpret the constitutional right to bond differently and said this would set a clear standard. Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was a student at Southern Union State Community College. She was last seen Oct. 23, 2019, at a gas station in Auburn and her remains were later found in a wooded area. Blanchard’s mother told WBRC-TV that she was thankful for the passage of the bill. “I didn’t want my daughter to have to give her life, but she did, and she fought hard and so we are going to fight for her and everyone and to just keep Alabama safe,” Blanchard’s mother, Angela Hailey-Harris, said. “That is my mission now,” Harris told the station. “To make sure everyone knows that when they are going to vote, it is on the ballot. I don’t think I will ever feel like I can breathe again, but at least I will feel like my daughter didn’t die for nothing. That she gave her life to save other lives.” The measure will go before voters next year. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama House approves ‘Aniah’s Law’ named for slain teen
The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a pair of bills intended to give judges more discretion to deny bail for people accused of violent crimes, a proposal inspired by the death of a college student. Representatives approved two bills to create Aniah’s Law, a measure named after 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard who was killed after being abducted from an Auburn gas station. At the time of the abduction, the suspect in the case was free on bond in an earlier kidnapping case. Republican Rep. Chip Brown, the sponsor of the bill, said law enforcement officials have asked for the bill for several years. “They believe this bill can save lives,” Brown, R-Mobile, said. The House passed the two bills by votes of 101-0 and 102-0. One is a constitutional amendment since the Alabama Constitution says people charged with crimes have a right to bail unless they are charged with capital murder. The proposal lists other crimes in which a judge may deny bond following a hearing. The crimes include murder, kidnapping, first-degree assault, rape, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and aggravated child abuse. The bills now move to the Alabama Senate. Because it involves a constitutional amendment, the proposal would also have to be approved by voters. Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was a student at Southern Union State Community College. She was last seen Oct. 23, 2019, at a gas station in Auburn, and her remains were later found in a wooded area. During the short debate, Rep. Merika Coleman, who is the cousin of Blanchard’s stepmother, fought back tears as she described the teen. “No other family should have to go through what this family went through,” Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove said. “She was a beautiful young woman. She had a full life ahead of her. She could have accomplished so much,” Coleman said. Democratic Rep. John Rogers of Birmingham said he supported the bill but questioned the need for the legislation. He said judges can deny bail or set it so high that the person has no chance of release. “Any judge worth his salt is going to do the same thing anyway,” Rogers said. Brown responded that judges interpret the right to bond differently and said this would set a standard. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
